Hey guys ... after a very long time I have had a silly urge to write an OS - one on the current track... with SaJan confrontation coming.😳
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the dark velvety sky was fading away slowly... as an emerging soft and luminescent as molten gold morning emerged ... with the sun slowly rising - taking away with it every inch of darkness - dispelling each and every gloomy vibe with it... - ah new day and a new beginning - as with each sunrise comes a new chance - a new fresh wave of enthusiasm - yes this was exactly what Samrat Shergill felt at the time when he saw the sun emerge - standing near the window of his bedroom as he took in the cool breeze of late October - with a smile on his lips and his eyes closed as if he was trying to soak in the moment ... live it completely with his every passing breath ... as his heartbeat was today passing at an uneven pace.
as he opened his eyes and his smile grew wider with the early morning sun lighting up his room with its presence - Samrat felt a fresh surge of energy, enthusiasm and happiness.
" Yes - today is the day... the day I had been waiting for - for the past 3 weeks... today finally my team - my students will compete in what will be the first ever Inter-collegiate Girls Basketball tournament - Excel - will have its moment of glory, and I'll make sure - history doesn't repeat itself again " - with these words he was lost for a moment in the time lapsed.... and then he snapped out of it... and once again promised himself - " yes excel will win "
and a huge smile was spread across his face... he pondered how 3 weeks ago he was restless and excited at the same time with a high does of nervousness when his team had started out in the qualifying rounds..& then when the were done with that in the next round - they had lost the first match and he was so disheartened - but fates smiled upon him as the next one was a draw - and he and his team could make it further and today - it was the day of the Finals..
life can be so weird at times - some dreams are so beautiful you just don't ever wanna wake up - for the thought of ruining them - the fear - they'd end will perish what we had - doesn't make you wanna leave your bed... and some dreams are so huge, so important and so incredible - that to realize 'em - you simply cannot somehow sleep through the night - as had happened with him... the dream to bring the trophy home to excel - had made him stay awake all night - and yet - he wasn't the slightest tired - rather - he was as fresh as a daisy with his enthusiasm keeping him in high spirits.
he looked back at his wall - the photo of his team-mates and him his team - 3 years ago - with his closest friends - Benji and Dodo - as they were clicked celebrating in one of excel' most memorable BB tournament victories - the cup in his hand - his lips kissing it ah it was one of the most beautiful moments he had - and then his smile slowly started to fade - as he saw another picture on his shelf just beneath that frame hung on his wall - THEIR PICTURE - his and hers' - both dressed in white - her cheek pressed to his - his arm around her so reckless - her arms around him and both with dazzling smiles on their faces - that lit em up - the photo that with itself brought back many memories - the picture of the day of their engagement - his and hers - Samrat & his chashmish - Gunjan.... and he bent his head to see the same ring she had slid down his finger 3 years ago with a smile on her face - that he could never forget - and the moment he holds dearest to his heart - he caressed his ring with the thumb of his other hand - and looked up
" chashmish - I wish things would have been different - we could have been different - I so want to tell you the truth - lying to you is making me feel so guilty - so low - I cant even help myself - its likes someone is choking me and I cant breath - that's what it feels like - having lied to you - but I promise - today it will end - tonight you'd know the truth from me - I'd let you know how I never was open to MBA - how I had coached these girls from excel and that my happiness lies in Basketball - I know you'd be hurt and mad.. and I'd hear whatever you say to me - because I know my MBA was so much to you - then it ever was to me - but I never meant to lie to you- I was just scared of losing whatever we had - what has remained - of losing it - of losing you all over again... cos despite the sheer detest I feel for this MBA - even just to talk about it - to see how am I doing - you'd be with me - spend time here - and talk to me - more then you had talked in these last few months since you returned to Excel... to me - after 3 years... I was scared of loosing all that chashmish - I never meant to hurt you - but the fear never let me speak the truth - but not today- after the game - it'd be over .. and I'd not escape things anymore chashmish - I just hope you forgive me and understand my side of the truth ... "
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at excel college -
Gunjan enters her class to again find ash missing from it and she asks Rohan about her
" rohan what's wrong here ? where's ash again ? she's been bunking way to many classes for the past 1 & a half month - this is not expected - do you know anything about this ?"
" no mam " rohan gulped and lied... ash had warned him not to let Gunjan know about her being the team captain - if he did she had said in very straight words - she'd never ever date him even if he turned 80 waiting outside her door...
" alright have your seat - seems like I'd have to talk to her myself but she hasnt even been meeting me - and even if she does - she manages to always make a run before its even 5 minutes "
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after the lecture Gunjan decided to talk to Shukla sir regarding ash and her class bunking sessions - since he was the principal - and just as she was standing outside his door and about to knock - she heard Shukla sir speaking very loudly on his phone to Samrat.
" don't you worry about ash and her studies Samrat - yes I'd see to it that Mayank gives her extra classes later on - I know she has used the game as an excuse to get away from studies "
hearing Shukla sir speak about ash ... and with Samrat on the matter she was confused.
" why is Samrat calling up Shukla sir ? and what is this whole thing about game and ash they know ?"
and so she decided to hear further
" oh I know that Samrat - she is very good at the game - and I trust you - how couldn't I ? the best Basketball player excel ever had - is praising ash for her BB skills and - of course - as her COACH - you would know her skills - you wouldn't have made her the captain of the team for nothing"
the words were like a bolt of lightning that shocked Gunjan - ash was in excel' BB team - she was the captain - and the worst was everyone knew about it - everyone except her - and Samrat - HE WAS EXCEL' BB TEAM COACH - Gunjan felt as if she could throw up any moment - her hand clutched her Duppatta very tightly as she felt sick to her stomach about the lies ... she remembered the time she saw the flier about the team and asked Samrat as he lied - the next day his clothes .. - Ash having his lucky pen - the incidents over the past few weeks .. it all made sense to her now... he was lying to her - he was lying all along .. Gunjan felt a stab in her heart ... as her eyes pricked with tears and she heard Shukla sir speak
" sorry Samrat- after you resigned as trustee my job has become harder - with being the disciplinarian too in your absence - so I wont be able to make it to the finals at St. Xavier's - but please do wish the team for me - and all the best to you as well coach "
Gunjan heard shukla sir's footsteps and immediately made a run for it .. and went to the ladies loo .. she was alone as she cried for moments recalling the past few days - Samrat' lie to her - the hope she had for his future now ruined - as she saw why had she learned just an hour ago - that Samrat was not attending his lectures - why she had snapped at rohan in class on the pretext of ash as well - as Samrat was unreachable as she called him.
" he was lying to me - he lied all along " and she recalled his lie about talent parade... and was again drawn to those memories - him and her - as they had once lived a beautiful relationship where they could open up and let the other read - what was in their minds, their hearts - so comfortably ... so easily as if it was like breathing to them - and today - he had lied to her -again - after all she had hoped for him and done - she felt a stab - I wanted to make up for all that you had lost Samrat - I wanted to make up for what we had lost - I felt you were with me - but no I was wrong - I was alone all along - you lied to me - you simply dint trust me enough to say the truth and you lied to me - not for a hour, a day, a week - a whole month !! "
And suddenly she wiped her tears and washed her face as she way her made out of excel - to reach somewhere - finally !
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St. Xavier's - BB tournament court
the stadium was pitched with high noised as the best two teams competed - the place was filled with ear-splitting shouts as students from the competing colleges had made to the finals to see who wins among Excel and St. Xavier's - the host college itself -... and the crowd was going wild cheering their college mates and/or favourites... while from the excel team Ash was the star player - Tina was St. Xavier's. the crowds made endless shouts to them as they cheered em on - placards of their names being raised to show support
The announcer was describing moment by moment happenings of the game. . Gunjan reached the spot and had a tough time convincing the guards to let her in - until a group of students from excel came to her rescue - recognized her as their teacher indeed - as the Guard wouldn't believe her Faculty ID as she had came at the finals on the last minute.
she went inside and saw Samrat talking with the team of excel - ash and the other girls listening to him attentively - and just then she noticed Rohan - besides ash - fanning her while ash just rolled her eyes at him.
Samrat was visibly tensed as Gunjan saw him - when the girls left he was seen talking hurriedly with Rohan - his hand on Rohan' shoulder.
Gunjan was about to go towards Samrat - when she was asked by the security to take a seat - she tried to reach Samrat - however the security guard was adamant saying it' against rules for anyone else except the team and coach to be in the area near the court - she asked about Rohan being there then - and the guard said - Excel' coach had given him a special pass - and hence he was allowed there.
the game started on ... while all eyes were on the players - Gunjan' were on Samrat... in the middle of the game - ash suddenly was towards the side where Gunjan was seated on the first row and as the announcer declared her position Gunjan instinctively looked towards Ash - who saw her and froze for a second as she mouthed - "Di"
the players from the other team took the chance and caught the ball from ash' hand as Samrat yelled for her - and turned his gaze towards Gunjan as the half time was declared and the score board declared St. Xavier's led with 4 points
the girls went towards their respective slots to get a break - Ash and Samrat along with Rohan were panic struck - their hands cold - at Gunjan' sight.. Samrat saw ash rushing towards him and yell - " sir di, di is here god - she learned about our lies ..." ash blabbered on as Samrat shifted his gaze between Gunjan, ash, rohan. the team and the crowd..
a girl from the team remarked - " because you froze ash the other team had a chance to score 2 more points just before the half time " Samrat came to his senses as he took all this in - and the girls got into an argument - he recalled his tiff with adhiraj which had cost them a game and he had to take charge now regardless whatever happens
" SHUT UP !!" his voice made the girls go numb as he then spoke again fire in his eyes- his gaze intense and his voice firm as he spoke with every bit of authority - like a coach
" I don't care about who did what and how things screwed up or even the score board right now - all I know is we have worked for this together - and the victory or loss - is no one' alone - IN A TEAM YOU ARE NOT ALONE - everyone matters - now stop blaming yourselves - this fight amongst yourselves- all I know is - for the past one and a half month - each and every one of you has had a dream and a fire within her to prove herself - now - now when the time to realize it is here - don't waste it - it doesn't matter even if the opponent team is ahead of us for now by 4 points remember - you have 20 more minutes to turn this game around for yourselves - you and I dint waste our time to make a fool out of ourselves today when we are here competing for the finals - to proclaim championship - so just go out there and give it your best shot - it doesn't matter to me - if you lose after you have given it all - cos I'd be happy you gave it your best still - but if this game goes down the drain cos of your silly fights - I'd never ever forgive anyone of you. remember what you are here to do is not only for yourselves - but for everyone here cheering for you - for your parents, & mostly for excel - to repay what you owe to it."
As he thought to himself - ' as do I'.
Ash tried to speak about Gunjan - but Samrat just made a stern no as he saw her straight in the eyes and gestured silently - " Just play - forget the rest - remember what you once said - on the field - I am a free bird - and it feels as if I am flying - so fly"
the whistle was made again - and the teams were again to enter the play area ... the seconds passing by made the game more intense as were the gazes between Samrat & Gunjan getting more heated silently.
the girls gave their best shot - at the end of 20 minutes the final whistle was made - and Excel was declared a winner thanks to the last minute basket made by Ash which helped em beat the score the teams had evened up.
the crowd from excel roared - as the team was cheered on -Ash went towards Samrat & rohan with her team mates.. Rohan lifted her off her feet instinctively as she reached with his near him and Samrat congratulated his team - shaking hands with them.
the judges called upon the excel team along with their coach to lift the trophy - and the moment was captured in a frame as Ash picked it up with the other girls and Samrat touched the cup - a tear almost ready to roll down his eyes - he ever so slowly like a prayer whispered " Thank You " closing his eyes and silently thanking god for every bit of this moment.
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Samrat went back 3 years in time as he recalled after the accident and the guilt he had on him - after Gunjan and Mayank had walked out on him - and he felt he had killed Nupur - he gave up his position in the team - just 2 months before his last BB tournament before his graduation was over - his final tournament as the captain - A PLAYER - of Excel' team ... as he couldn't think - couldn't play ... and he couldn't be himself.
the team had lost as he was their strategist and he always blamed himself - though no one ever blamed him - as everyone in the college knew - what had just happened to him.
" I have paid my debt today.... the trophy I owed excel - won by it " a dazzling smile lit Samrat' face.
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the BB court was now cleared after almost half an hour as everyone left either to celebrate victory or mourn defeat.
Ash had wanted to speak with Gunjan but she asked her to leave - saying - I need to talk with Samrat first - you and I will talk later.
ash had no choice but to leave... and the court was left vacant - except for Samrat & Gunjan.
she walked towards him ... her eyes watching him intently as his face was sober and his eyes filled with regret.
" congratulations... you must be so happy Samrat... the game was very amazing.. I see you have taught well - but then you were always good with games - I felt before it was just basketball - but now it seems even mind games come in the criteria"
" chashmish ..please "
" please what Samrat ? I am praising you with the game you even taught how to lie to my students ...what was I thinking - MBA, your future. your bright career - seeing you aim for the skies - when I see you are already on a flight of your own "
"chashmish let me explain... I was goanna tell you the truth today after the game"
" after crowning me as the queen of fools you mean - you trophy in one hand - your team behind you and your victory news all over the college as wild fire .. and of course You were planning to tell the truth "
" chashmish I never meant that "
" you did ... and it was all intentional Samrat - don't tell me all this was just spur of the moment - you lied to me, asked Ash rohan to lie to me, shukla sir , Mayank - god everyone knew but me - what a fool I was ? "
Samrat came towards her as he held her arms
" Chashmish I swear it isn't so - "
she jerked off his hands -
" let go off my hands - I don't even know why I came here - why did I think I had a right to plan all the things I wished for you ... I was just making a fool out of myself - when you never cared "
" it's not true chashmish - please let me have a chance to explain myself - I am guilty - I regret having lied to you.. but it was my only way"
" of course it was... lying is always the only way when there are no excuses for passing off the truth - tell you what Samrat - it wasn't your mistake you lied, you played with me, my emotions, my feelings, my hopes , every dream I was having - cause you have always been so - insensitive when you wanted to make something happen - like you were with me before as well during the talent parade - when you had lied at the time as well ... just to win a bet.. tell me Samrat -was this another bet as well ? or just the cup ? what was it this time - that made you walk out on all the possibilities of future I had planned for you ? "
all the time that Gunjan had thrown those barbs at him ... during all the months before Nupur had returned... when he was having a guilty conscious - - he never answered back - now proven innocent - today when she spoke with spitefulness he was again quiet all the time as he felt he deserved these words - those accusations from her.. having lied to her
but when she spoke about Walking out... about future & dreams, hopes & plans -possibilities and called him ' Insensitive' - he felt a surge of anger rise within him... every moment of his hell relived - every agony refreshed and he was finally unable to take it anymore... he could take her words about him being a liar... but not about crushing dreams & hopes... about future & plans.. about being called insensitive - but mostly he couldn't take when she labelled him a 'Deserter' - having done that to him .. 3 years ago - and making him punish himself day in and out for a crime he never committed.
as she began to walk out he raced after her and grabbed her hand forcefully anger boiling him beyond control... and made her face him turning her in aggressively.
" Samrat leave me - what are you doing it hurts"
" it hurts you... now it does.. when you felt lied and cheated too.. when I have merely grabbed you tightly ... you are asking me what am I doing ? you accused me of crushing your hopes , dreams, plans, you brand me as a Deserter ... when you yourself have done this to me 3 years back ... how can you accuse me of something when you have committed that very crime against me - my love - our relationship.. a mere lie today has hurt you as it went on for almost a month what about these 3 years ... that you left me."
he let go off her forcefully as she was stunned to hear his words...
" I never was happy about this MBA - but you - you wanted it ... you had said to me the other day at mayank and nupur' home that I should follow my heart - do as I please - what makes me happy to keep everyone around me happy.. but did you ever ask me what was it that made me happy?
Gunjan Bhushan I lied to you for a month ... to keep my best friend happy... as she was so excited to plan things for me... and I hoped - this would help me get my Chashmish back... I admit I was wrong with my lies - but you have no right to accuse me of something I never did... as you are doing now... blaming me on walking out on those possibilities I never did seek or want - you are blaming me again wrongfully like you had been doing for all this time - those 3 years of mine - when YOU - walked out on me - when you blamed me for killing your sister - when now I am proven innocent completely ...
when you walked out on me - I was unconscious - you dint even have the least bit of humanity to walk out on me on my face when I could have at least taken with much more strength
I lied as a friend to you.. but you left me when we were engaged... when it hadn't been even 24 hours to celebrate a day of it... when just a night ago we had become one forever in all senses Gunjan... when you and I had promised to be forever together on what I considered the most beautiful morning of my life as I saw your face the first thing when I awoke... you left me when you had vowed to spend the rest of your life with me
today you are hurt at these dreams hopes crushed - which you alone had planned.. which I never wanted or wished to be a part of... but what about those dreams, hopes, plans WE had made together... did you ever consider them ?
you accuse me of being insensitive - but how could I speak to you... you were GUNJAN to me - ever since you came back - you have been GUNJAN - even after you learned that it was a psychopath who was crazy for your sister had caused the ruining of 3 years we were apart... cause your sister choose to not fight and instead bow down to the wishes of a mad man - that despite being innocent I had to suffer...
you dint even change after that - you dint return even after things went normal - when despite it all I asked you countless times to return to me - to start over... how could I speak to you ... you ... you are a stranger to me... you have been since the moment you walked out 3 years ago
I have lost MY CHASHMISH ... I could let her read me like a book cos with her there were no barriers.... we are one - she is mine .. as am I hers... but you are not her - YOU ARE NOT MY CHASHMISH ... and I don't wanna spend a minute more with a stranger discussing the miseries of my life... " - tears rolled down his eyes as he walked out of the court leaving Gunjan to numb to react to stunned to speak and then too weak to even remain standing as she went down on her knees silent tears rolling down her cheeks... with sobs that turned louder with each passing moment... however were drowned in the dissonance of the heavy thunder unleashed outside.....
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By
Aahana
P.S - I dint get into the details of the game as I don't know BB well :P
Hope you'll like it 😳
Shiv Shakti
Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon
Cricket
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
